Multi-Day Walks and Rides Near Nelson

October 30, 2026

The top of the South Island has two Great Walks, a backcountry circuit and a long cycle trail within reach of Nelson. Tides, river crossings and fast mountain weather shape every plan, so check DOC alerts before each trip. Fees are in NZD.

Abel Tasman Coast Track

This Great Walk is about 60 km from Marahau to Wainui and takes 3 to 5 days. Huts (Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi) and campsites must be booked in advance all year, and bookings for 2026/27 are open.

Section times from DOC:

Marahau to Anchorage: 12.4 km, about 4 hours.
Anchorage to Bark Bay: 8.4 km, about 3 hours by the low-tide Torrent Bay crossing, or 11.5 km, about 4 hours by the high-tide track.
Bark Bay to Awaroa: 13.5 km, about 4.5 hours.
Awaroa to Totaranui: 7.1 km, about 2 hours 20 minutes, tidal.
Totaranui to Whariwharangi: 9.8 km, about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Whariwharangi to Wainui: 5.7 km, about 2 hours.

Tide rules. Awaroa Inlet can be crossed only from 1 hour 30 minutes before to 2 hours after low tide, and only in daylight. There is no all-tide track there. At Torrent Bay and Bark Bay, cross within 2 hours either side of low tide or take the all-tide track (Bark Bay’s adds about 10 minutes).

Fees per person per night, 1 October to 30 April. Huts: New Zealand adult 55, international adult 84, New Zealand child 28, international child 42. Campsites: New Zealand adult 21, international adult 31, child 10 for New Zealanders and 15 for international visitors. Winter and shoulder rates are lower: huts are 42 from 1 May to 30 June, 33 from 1 July to 31 August and 42 in September.

Stay limits. Two nights per site from 1 October to 30 April and five nights from May to September. Totaranui campsite is one night all year. Mountain bikes are allowed only on the Wainui to Gibbs Hill to Totaranui section from 1 May to 30 September. The Falls River suspension bridge is 47 m long.

Heaphy Track

The Heaphy is a 78.4 km Great Walk with 6 huts and 9 campsites, and it must be booked all year. Bikes are allowed from 1 May to 30 November. The two ends, Brown Hut in Golden Bay and Kohaihai near Karamea, are hours apart by road, so book a shuttle such as Golden Bay Air or the Heaphy Bus.

Travers-Sabine Circuit

This Nelson Lakes circuit is about 80 km and takes 4 to 7 days, with backcountry huts. It is not a Great Walk. Weather at Travers Saddle can bring snow in any month. DOC asks visitors not to wash or swim in Blue Lake (Rotomairewhenua).

Great Taste Trail

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail is a New Zealand Great Ride through Nelson, Richmond, Brightwater, Wakefield, Mapua, Motueka and Kaiteriteri. Operators sell 3 to 5 day packages of about 203 to 204 km. Check the trail notices for closures before you book.

Top of the South road loop

Link Nelson, Kaiteriteri, Golden Bay, Murchison, St Arnaud and Blenheim over 5 or more days. Takaka Hill and the Golden Bay detour take longer than the map suggests.